Podcasts about selfish gene

Episode: 3245 Memes, Internet Challenges, and the Selfish Gene.  Today, memes.

Please join my mailing list here

In this episode of The Poetry of Reality, Richard Dawkins joins Nick Gillespie, for an insightful conversation touching on evolution, genetics, science, and culture. They explore Richard's latest book, The Genetic Book of the Dead, along with his previous works such as The Selfish Gene. The discussion expands into science's ongoing tensions with ideology, religion, and postmodern thought, followed by a spirited audience Q&A session. This episode was filmed at Pabst Theatre, on the September 20th 2024, as part of Richard Dawkins' tour. Nick Gillespie is editor-at-large at Reason magazine, a prominent journalist, and commentator known for insightful coverage of politics, culture, and free speech.

Si and Desi kick off 2025 with a deep dive into critical trends shaping digital forensics. They tackle pressing challenges such as AI-driven threats, including deepfakes and AI-generated images, and examine the security risks associated with connected devices. The discussion also explores the ongoing impact of the pandemic on mental health, remote work, and the forensic community's well-being. With a focus on practical insights and support for forensic professionals, they cover evolving threats, emerging technologies, and the importance of mental resilience in the field. Stay tuned for updates on future podcast guests, conferences, and new tech developments. Don't forget to check the show notes for resources, including mental health support services and recommended reading. 00:00 Welcome to 2025 01:10 AI in Law: Conference Insights from Luxembourg 03:07 The Impact of AI on Social Media and Deepfakes 05:03 AI-Generated Images 06:51 The Future of Digital Watermarking and Cybersecurity 11:59 Advancements in AI and Desktop Supercomputers 21:37 The Rise of Smart Home Devices and Security Concerns 23:16 Privacy Issues with Medical Devices and Data Collection 31:14 Predictive Algorithms and the Dystopian Future 32:12 Apple's Siri Payout 32:35 Films Predicting 2025 34:18 US Strategic Preparation Plans 37:04 Mental Health in 2024 44:08 Impact of Remote Work 51:17 The Role of Gossip in Society 59:19 Cyber Threats and Mental Health 01:01:05 Final Thoughts and Resources Show Notes NVIDIA Puts Grace Blackwell on Every Desk and at Every AI Developer's Fingertips, Nvidia News - https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/nvidia-puts-grace-blackwell-on-every-desk-and-at-every-ai-developers-fingertips US man used AI to generate 13,000 child sexual abuse pictures, FBI alleges, The Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/technology/article/2024/may/21/child-sexual-abuse-material-artificial-intelligence-arrest  Tasmanian jailed for possessing AI-generated child abuse material, AFP - https://www.afp.gov.au/news-centre/media-release/tasmanian-jailed-possessing-ai-generated-child-abuse-material Raspberry Pi - https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-5/ Rise of killer robot fridges as experts warn kitchen appliances getting 'smarter', Daily Star - https://www.dailystar.co.uk/tech/rise-killer-robot-fridges-experts-34387400 ‘I'm Possibly Alive Because It Exists:' Why Sleep Apnea Patients Rely on a CPAP Machine Hacker, Vice - https://www.vice.com/en/article/im-possibly-alive-because-it-exists-why-sleep-apnea-patients-rely-on-a-cpap-machine-hacker/  Raven Rock: The Story of the U.S. Government's Secret Plan to Save Itself — While the Rest of Us Die, Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25813952-raven-rock While the Rest of Us Die: Secrets of America's Shadow Government, Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/While_the_Rest_of_Us_Die:_Secrets_of_America's_Shadow_Government Sandy Hook Promise - https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/ The Selfish Gene, Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61535.The_Selfish_Gene Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23692271-sapiens Unexpected Privacy Risks in CPAP Machine Updates, LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/unexpected-privacy-risks-cpap-machine-updates-ryan-chalupovitsch-gh2kc/ Canceling the apocalypse? What can we learn from films set in 2025, The Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jan/02/what-learn-movie-set-future Forensic Focus Discord - https://discord.gg/97zKvTXHeS If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, these organisations may be of help: Samaritans – https://www.samaritans.org Mind – https://www.mind.org.uk Oscar Kilo – https://www.oscarkilo.org.uk/ Occupational health unit (OHU) – all police forces have access to an OHU providing a range of support services Employee Assistance Scheme (EAS) – check with your employer to see what specific resources are available to you  GP – your GP can provide access to various local resources and make referrals to psychological support services Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

In this episode of the Awareness to Action Enneagram podcast, Mario Sikora and Seth “Creek” Creekmore explore a list of books that have had the biggest influence on Mario and the way he thinks about the Enneagram. Even though none of the books are about the Enneagram, they have influenced how Mario thinks about concepts, such as cognitive dissonance and social psychology.TIMESTAMPS[00:01] Intro[02:04] Knowledge is power[07:09] Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me)[11:34] The Demon-Haunted World[22:42] Philosophy and the Real World[25:58] The Selfish Gene[36:13] Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind[39:20] Sacred World[44:47] The Essential Drucker[56:44] Other book recommendations[59:29] OutroConnect with us:Awareness to ActionEnneagram on DemandIG: @ataenneagrampodEmail: info@awarenesstoaction.comSend a voice message: speakpipe.com/AwarenesstoActionBooks:Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me) by Carol Tavris and Elliot AronsonThe Demon-Haunted World by Carl SaganPhilosophy and the Real World: An Introduction to Karl Popper by Brian MageeThe Selfish Gene by Richard DawkinsZen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryū SuzukiSacred World: The Shambhala Way to Gentleness, Bravery, and Power by Jeremy and Karen HaywardThe Essential Drucker by Peter DruckerThe Wisest One in the Room: How You Can Benefit from Social Psychology's Most Powerful Insights by Thomas Gilovich and Lee RossHow We Know What Isn't So: The Fallibility of Human Reason in Everyday Life by Thomas GilovichPsychology of Intelligence Analysis by Richards HeuerThe Beginning of Infinity by David Deutsch

Second Place LNN Esme Clayton, Joint Hospital Group Memes or missiles? Should we invest more in Information Operations? Definitions To be able to discuss this accurately, we need to first understand what the word 'meme' means. Although, it may be commonly associated by being coined by Richard Dawkins in The Selfish Gene (1976) as a 'unit' of culture. We can look for the meaning of the word further back in time all the way back to the Greeks, where they used the word 'minema' meaning 'imitated'. To think of the word simply it can be defined as a type of behaviour, picture, text, containing information which is passed from person to person. Missiles are easier to define as 'an object which is forcibly propelled at a target'. Memes - an extension of a much older concept? Firstly, to look into the benefits of investing more into information operations, it is useful to look at an example of its use in WW2. Operation Mincemeat, was a successful British operation where they deceived the Germans into thinking that the allies were planning to invade Greece and Sardinia, when the actual target was Sicily. They did this by planting fake correspondents into a corpse dressed as a Major. As you can see from this example, the British used both tactics and sensitive information, to manipulate the opponents plans. The Germans doubled the number of troops sent to Sardinia, allowing the allies to fully capture Sicily. Another example was at the D-Day landings when they used dummy tanks to distract the enemy, and suggested that the Allies would attack other places to weaken German forces in Normandy. This would be in favour of the use of information operations in warfare, as we can see that it is very difficult to decipher what is fact and what is fiction, especially in heightened stress situations such as war. With the ever increasing knowledge behind technology and artificial intelligence, it would be vital for the UK to invest further into this, as it is impossible to predict what it could be used for in the future. The importance of critical thinking and analysis However, we are also able to use this example as a disadvantage of information operations, as the Germans saw the corpse of a 'Major' and gathered the information about the British and used it to defend their country. Although, the difficulty lies when interpreting which information is useful and which has been staged. For the proper use of information operations you need three core elements - intelligence, leadership and information systems. Firstly intelligence, intelligence is ever changing and it is one of the most dynamic elements in wartime, so it needs to be acted upon with speed and accuracy, in order to get the desired outcome. A strong leader is needed to ensure that there is strong decision making, they are able to critically think and visualise the battlefield, to come up with the best options with the information gained. And finally, the ability to acquire, analyse and store the information that is obtained. And a limitation of the final element, is that the information can be leaked or hacked, showing the importance of the first two core elements, to allow the information to be acted on immediately. With the current funding the armed forces are struggling to find the correct people who are qualified and have the desired experience for the role. It is understandable that the best minds in artificial intelligence, computers and social media are attracted to the high salaries in multi-international companies. If they invested more into intelligence operations, I believe a large percentage of this investment should be utilised to train people to correctly use information operations, as well as to decipher between correct and incorrect information. Are Info Ops effective in a modern, media-savvy world? There is evidence to show that although information operations in warfare was effective in the past, however, now they are more well known and exposed, meaning that they ar...

Denis Noble is Emeritus Professor and co-Director of Computational Physiology who held the Burdon Sanderson Chair of Cardiovascular Physiology at the University of Oxford. He is one of the pioneers of systems biology and developed the first viable mathematical model of the working heart. He is also a philosopher of biology, and his books The Music of Life and Dance to the Tune of Life challenge the foundations of current biological sciences, question the central dogma, its unidirectional view of information flow, and its imposition of a bottom-up methodology for research in the life sciences. Raymond Noble is Honorary Associate Professor at the Institute for Women's Health, University College London. He held a Rockefeller Senior Research Fellowship with a joint appointment in Physiology and Obstetrics and Gynaecology at University College London, where he became Deputy Dean of Life Sciences and Graduate Tutor in Women's Health and where he also taught medical ethics in reproductive health. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology and a chartered biologist, writing extensively on biological theory and philosophy, working extensively on how organisms sense their environment and make choices. TIMESTAMPS: (0:00) - Introduction (2:45) - Consciousness & the Mind-Body Dichotomy (12:50) - Biology's Evolution & the Importance of Stochasticity (18:00) - The Gene Delusion (25:35) - Arguments Against Richard Dawkins' "Selfish Gene" (35:45) - Moral/Philosophical Implications of The Selfish Gene (39:19) - Purposive Explanations of Life & Understanding Living Systems (45:40) - Ecological Intelligence (56:05) - Consciousness & the Self (1:05:07) - Biological Evolution from a Physiological Perspective (1:21:18) - The Music of Life (Unselfish Gene) (1:29:00) - Free Will & Dogma (1:36:03) - The Story of Noble Brothers (Differences & Similarities) (1:42:24) - When Two Became One (1:50:45) - Teleology & The Purpose of Life (Final Thoughts) (1:56:40) - Conclusion EPISODE LINKS: - Denis: https://tinyurl.com/7uzjuxxm - Ray: https://tinyurl.com/25z9jnk5 - Books: https://tinyurl.com/bdcpwetj - Denis' Publications: https://tinyurl.com/yr3es4ht - Ray's Publications: https://tinyurl.com/yunnfjc5 CONNECT: - Website: https://tevinnaidu.com - Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/mindbodysolution - YouTube: https://youtube.com/mindbodysolution - X: https://twitter.com/drtevinnaidu - Facebook: https://facebook.com/drtevinnaidu - Instagram: https://instagram.com/drtevinnaidu - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/drtevinnaidu ============================= Disclaimer: The information provided on this channel is for educational purposes only. The content is shared in the spirit of open discourse and does not constitute, nor does it substitute, professional or medical advice. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of listening/watching any of our contents. You acknowledge that you use the information provided at your own risk. Listeners/viewers are advised to conduct their own research and consult with their own experts in the respective fields.

“We are survival machines – robot vehicles blindly programmed to preserve the selfish molecules known as genes.” - Richard Dawkins in The Selfish Gene In 1976, Richard Dawkins published one of the most iconic science books of all time. It has inspired a generation of science enthusiasts. But unsurprisingly, many readers disliked the idea of being but a “robot vehicle” or a “survival machine” for some tiny molecules — especially if these molecules are best served by repeated pregnancies or donations to a sperm bank. Yet Dawkins was right on one thing: “however much we may deplore something, it does not stop being true.” So what is true? I have previously written about one claim in the Selfish Gene which is certainly not true. This is the claim that, if we accept the book's biological theories, then we humans must be “born selfish”. Even Dawkins has accepted that this was a "rogue" claim that readers should "mentally delete". You can hear more by heading to episode 20 of On Humans. But what about the underlying science? Are selfish genes still the right way to think about the facts of evolution? Not so, according to Eva Jablonka. You might remember Jablonka from episode 36 on the evolution of consciousness. But before her work on consciousness, Jablonka was famous for her research on epigenetic inheritance -- literally, "inheritance beyond the gene". So what is epigenetic inheritance? What do we know about it scientifically? And does it matter philosophically? I hope you enjoy this conversation. LINKS Get more links and references from my accompanying essay at OnHumans.Substack.com. Support my work at Patreon.com/OnHumans

Richard Dawkins

Simon and Rachel speak to Richard Dawkins, an evolutionary biologist and bestselling science writer. His first book, "The Selfish Gene", published in 1976, has sold over a million copies and been translated into more than 25 languages. Other titles include "The Ancestor's Tale", "The Blind Watchmaker" and "The God Delusion". The latter book, published in 2006, espoused the criticism of religion for which Richard is well known. From 1995 to 2008 he was the Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University, and he has also written two volumes of memoir. We spoke with Richard about moving from research science to writing books for a general audience, his breakout with "The Selfish Gene" in the 1970s, and his latest title, "The Genetic Book of the Dead".  “Always Take Notes: Advice From Some Of The World's Greatest Writers” - a book drawing on our podcast interviews - is published by Ithaka Press. You can order it via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hatchards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waterstones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can find us online at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠alwaystakenotes.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, on Twitter @takenotesalways and on Instagram @alwaystakenotes. Our crowdfunding page is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/alwaystakenotes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Always Take Notes is presented by Simon Akam and Rachel Lloyd, and produced by Artemis Irvine. Our music is by Jessica Dannheisser and our logo was designed by James Edgar.

In this special international episode of Decoding the Gurus, Chris and Matt jump on the hottest online topic and devote an hour to reviewing Richard Dawkins' influential work from the 1970s, The Selfish Gene. This book influenced Matt and Chris when they were teenage decoders, but how does it hold up now that they have evolved into (quasi)adult forms?Based on their rereading of the book they discuss its contribution to the public understanding of evolution, the academic and public controversies it sparked, and Dawkins' broader contributions to science communication and... the culture war. Consideration is given to the criticisms raised by figures like Stephen Jay Gould and Mary Midgley, the implications of seeing humans as meat machines constructed by genes, and what should be understood as the book's core message.So join Chris and Matt as they confront their true nature as gene propagators but also argue that it is possible to simultaneously recognise the importance of human cultural & social development and our genetic & biological legacies. LinksDawkins, R. (2016) The Selfish Gene (40th Anniversary edition)

Richard Dawkins FRS FRSL (born 26 March 1941)[3] is a British evolutionary biologist, zoologist, science communicator and author.[4] He is an emeritus fellow of New College, Oxford, and was Professor for Public Understanding of Science in the University of Oxford from 1995 to 2008. His 1976 book The Selfish Gene popularised the gene-centred view of evolution, as well as coining the term meme. Dawkins has won several academic and writing awards.[5]

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with Alex O'Connor and Richard Dawkins to discuss their differences of view on the Abrahamic biblical texts, truth claims in science and fiction, the extension of memes through Jungian archetypes, and the memetical reality of dragons. This episode was filmed on September 30th, 2024 Richard Dawkins is a British evolutionary biologist, zoologist, science communicator, and bestselling author of books such as “The Selfish Gene,” and “The Genetic Book of the Dead.” Alex O'Connor is a philosophy-oriented YouTuber, podcaster, and public speaker. He graduated in 2021 from St. John's College, Oxford University, with a BA in philosophy and theology. In 2023, he launched the “Within Reason” podcast, which has featured guests including Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, Slavoj Žižek, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Rory Stewart, amongst others.  | Links | For Richard Dawkins: On X https://x.com/RichardDawkins?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor On YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@poetryofreality The Genetic Book of the Dead (New book) https://www.amazon.com/Genetic-Book-Dead-Darwinian-Reverie/dp/0300278098  For Alex O'Connor: On YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CosmicSkeptic On X https://x.com/CosmicSkeptic?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor 

Share this episode: https://www.samharris.org/podcasts/making-sense-episodes/382-the-eye-of-nature Sam Harris speaks with Richard Dawkins about his new book The Genetic Book of the Dead, the genome as a palimpsest, what scientists of the future may do with genetic information, genotypes and phenotypes, embryology and epigenetics, why the Lamarckian theory of acquired characteristics couldn't be true, how environmental selection pressure works, why evolution is hard to think about, human dependence on material culture, the future of genetic enhancement of human beings, viral DNA, symbiotic bacteria, AI and the future of scholarship, resurrecting extinct species, the problem of free speech in the UK, the problem of political Islam and antisemitism in the UK, reflections on Dan Dennett, and other topics. Richard Dawkins is an evolutionary biologist and a best-selling author. He is celebrated globally for his unwavering critique of religion and his commitment to critical thinking. His books include The Ancestor’s Tale, The Selfish Gene, The Blind Watchmaker, Climbing Mount Improbable, Unweaving the Rainbow, A Devil’s Chaplain, The God Delusion, The Greatest Show on Earth, The Magic of Reality, his two-part autobiography An Appetite for Wonder and Brief Candle in the Dark, and Outgrowing God: A Beginner’s Guide. His final book tour, “An Evening with Richard Dawkins,” is currently underway. Website: richarddawkinstour.com Twitter: @RichardDawkins Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.

David Spivak, a mathematician known for his work in category theory, discusses a wide range of topics related to intelligence, creativity, and the nature of knowledge. He explains category theory in simple terms and explores how it relates to understanding complex systems and relationships. MLST is sponsored by Brave: The Brave Search API covers over 20 billion webpages, built from scratch without Big Tech biases or the recent extortionate price hikes on search API access. Perfect for AI model training and retrieval augmentated generation. Try it now - get 2,000 free queries monthly at http://brave.com/api. We discuss abstract concepts like collective intelligence, the importance of embodiment in understanding the world, and how we acquire and process knowledge. Spivak shares his thoughts on creativity, discussing where it comes from and how it might be modeled mathematically. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the impact of artificial intelligence on human thinking and its potential role in the evolution of intelligence. Spivak also touches on the importance of language, particularly written language, in transmitting knowledge and shaping our understanding of the world. David Spivak http://www.dspivak.net/ TOC: 00:00:00 Introduction to category theory and functors 00:04:40 Collective intelligence and sense-making 00:09:54 Embodiment and physical concepts in knowledge acquisition 00:16:23 Creativity, open-endedness, and AI's impact on thinking 00:25:46 Modeling creativity and the evolution of intelligence 00:36:04 Evolution, optimization, and the significance of AI 00:44:14 Written language and its impact on knowledge transmission REFS: Mike Levin's work https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=luouyakAAAAJ&hl=en Eric Smith's videos on complexity and early life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpJZw-68QyE Richard Dawkins' book "The Selfish Gene" https://amzn.to/3X73X8w Carl Sagan's statement about the cosmos knowing itself https://amzn.to/3XhPruK Herbert Simon's concept of "satisficing" https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/bounded-rationality/ DeepMind paper on open-ended systems https://arxiv.org/abs/2406.04268 Karl Friston's work on active inference https://direct.mit.edu/books/oa-monograph/5299/Active-InferenceThe-Free-Energy-Principle-in-Mind MIT category theory lectures by David Spivak (available on the Topos Institute channel) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UusLtx9fIjs

Commonly known as the most famous atheist in the world, Richard Dawkins is a British evolutionary biologist, zoologist, and author of The Selfish Gene and The God Delusion. Today, Ryan asks Richard why he describes himself as a "cultural Christian", what the biggest misunderstandings of his work are, why individuals teeter between faith and reason, and his concept of humans as 'books of the dead,' a metaphor for the evolutionary history encoded in our genes. Pre-order Richard's latest book The Genetic Book of the Dead - out September 17, 2024. Richard is heading out on his last tour! Grab tickets here: https://richarddawkinstour.com/You can check out Richard's work and tour dates on his website richarddawkins.com or you can follow him on X @RichardDawkins ✉️ Want Stoic wisdom delivered to your inbox daily? Sign up for the FREE Daily Stoic email at https://dailystoic.com/dailyemail

Sign Up for our LA Listener Meet Up Philip Ball is an award-winning science writer who has penned over 30 books on a dizzying variety of subjects. Holding degrees in chemistry from Oxford and physics from the University of Bristol, Ball's multidisciplinary background underpins his versatility. As a former editor at Nature for two decades and a regular contributor to a range of publications and broadcast outlets, Ball's work exemplifies the rare combination of scientific depth and accessibility, cementing his reputation as a premier science communicator. Tyler and Philip discuss how well scientists have stood up to power historically, the problematic pressures scientists feel within academia today, artificial wombs and the fertility crisis, the price of invisibility, the terrifying nature of outer space and Gothic cathedrals, the role Christianity played in the Scientific Revolution, what current myths may stick around forever, whether cells can be thought of as doing computation, the limitations of The Selfish Gene, whether the free energy principle can be usefully applied, the problem of microplastics gathering in testicles and other places, progress in science, his favorite science fiction, how to follow in his footsteps, and more. Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video. Recorded May 22nd, 2024. Other ways to connect Follow us on X and Instagram Follow Tyler on X Follow Philip on X Sign up for our newsletter Join our Discord Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu Learn more about Conversations with Tyler and other Mercatus Center podcasts here.

Richard Dawkins is a British evolutionary biologist and author. His 1976 book The Selfish Gene popularised the gene-centered view of evolution, as well as coining the term meme. Dawkins is a vocal atheist and is often referred to as one of the four horsemen of the New Atheism movement which began to gain traction in the mid-2000s, catalysed in large part by Dawkin's 2006 book, The God Delusion. Richard's latest book, The Genetic Book of the Dead: A Darwinian Reverie, is available to pre-order now: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0300278098/ Join our Premium Membership for early access, extended and ad-free content: https://triggernometry.supercast.com OR Support TRIGGERnometry Here: Bitcoin: bc1qm6vvhduc6s3rvy8u76sllmrfpynfv94qw8p8d5 Music by: Music by: Xentric | info@xentricapc.com | https://www.xentricapc.com/ YouTube: @xentricapc  Buy Merch Here: https://www.triggerpod.co.uk/shop/ Advertise on TRIGGERnometry: marketing@triggerpod.co.uk Join the Mailing List: https://www.triggerpod.co.uk/#mailinglist Find TRIGGERnometry on Social Media:  https://twitter.com/triggerpod https://www.facebook.com/triggerpod/ https://www.instagram.com/triggerpod/ About TRIGGERnometry:  Stand-up comedians Konstantin Kisin (@konstantinkisin) and Francis Foster (@francisjfoster) make sense of politics, economics, free speech, AI, drug policy and WW3 with the help of presidential advisors, renowned economists, award-winning journalists, controversial writers, leading scientists and notorious comedians. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we're talking about memes. Pictures have become a short-cut for thinking. People can forward a meme faster than their good judgment can stop it. How do people make meaning with memes? NOTES: Def: Dictionary.com: an image, video, piece of text, etc., typically humorous in nature, that is copied and spread rapidly by internet users, often with slight variations.  "celebrity gossip and memes often originate on the site" The word “meme” comes from the Greek mimema, meaning something that has been “imitated.” According to Britannica, the word was first introduced by Richard Dawkins, a British biologist, in his book The Selfish Gene; his intention was for “meme” to sound similar to "gene.” RECAP/TAKEAWAYS Memes target emotions and are shared impulsively. Memes don't substitute for arguments. Forwarding a meme does not equate to knowing the truth or understanding an argument. Meme's fuel outrage, even over things that don't deserve outrage. GET IN TOUCH: We'd love to hear from you. Please send us an email or question at comment@cityonahillpodcast.com. MUSIC: Little Lily Swing, Tri-Tachyon, Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 International, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Tri-Tachyon/the-kleptotonic-ep/little-lily-swing

إذا عم تشوف هالحلقة فأكيد بتفتح الإنترنت وإذا بتفتح الإنترنت فأكيد شايف على الأقل ميم واحد. ممكن تفكر أنو الميم هو مجرد دعابة وأو قصة صغيرة مضحكة ولكن الميم هو شي أكبر من هيك بكتير. بحلقة هالأسبوع رح نرجع لأصول كلمة ميم يلي تم ذكرها وتعريفها لأول مرة بسنة ١٩٧٦ من قبل عالم الأحياء التطورية ريتشارد دوكينز بكتابة الجين الأناني. وبعدها رح نحكي عن المراحل يلي مرت فيها الميمز من أواخر التسعينات إلى يومنا هذا وكيف صارت لغة تواصل رقمية وجزء أساسي من حياتنا ومن حياة الإنترنت ووسائل التواصل الإجتماعي. استمتع/ي --------------- إذا استمتعت/ي بالبودكاست وعم تسمعنا على منصة آبل بودكاست منتمنى أنك تتركلنا تقييم, كل كلمة بتساعدنا. إذا عم تسمعنا على سبوتيفاي فيك تدعمنا بخمس نجوم إذا ما بتستعمل هالمنصات وحابب تدعمنا في تتركلنا تقييم على موقع بودكاست عربي ومشكور كثير --------------- إذا حابب تتابع الحلقة مصوّرة أو مقاطع منها, فيك تلاقيهن على قناتنا عاليوتيوب

Evolutionary biologist and author, Richard Dawkins, explores how the body, behavior, and genes of every living creature serve as a record of their ancestors' worlds, similar to how a lizard's skin reflects its desert origins. In his new book, Dawkins shows that these genetic “books of the dead” offer insights into the history of life, revealing how animals have adapted to challenges over time. He argues that understanding these evolutionary patterns unlocks a vivid and nuanced view of the past, allowing us to see the remarkable continuity in how life overcomes obstacles. Richard Dawkins was the inaugural Charles Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University. He is best known for The Selfish Gene, The Blind Watchmaker, and The God Delusion. Dawkins has made significant contributions to evolutionary theory and popular science, emphasizing the gene-centered view of evolution. His latest book, The Genetic Book of the Dead, explores how genes serve as an archive of ancestral history. Dawkins continues to write and lecture on science and reason. Shermer and Dawkins discuss Dawkins' new book, The Genetic Book of the Dead, exploring how an animal's genes can be interpreted as a record of its ancestral history. They delve into the interdisciplinary nature of evolutionary studies, linking archaeology, biology, and geology. The conversation clarifies the difference between genetic and phenotypic records, using the metaphor of QR codes to explain how genetic information encodes environmental history. They also touch on the future implications of this research for understanding evolution.

The author of the classic The Selfish Gene is still changing the way we think about evolution. SOURCE:Richard Dawkins, professor emeritus of the public understanding of science at Oxford University. RESOURCES:The Genetic Book of the Dead, by Richard Dawkins (2024).Flights of Fancy: Defying Gravity by Design and Evolution, by Richard Dawkins (2021)."About Three-in-Ten U.S. Adults Are Now Religiously Unaffiliated," by Gregory A. Smith (Pew Research Center, 2021).Cuckoo: Cheating by Nature, by Nick Davies (2015).The God Delusion, by Richard Dawkins (2006)."Why the Universe Seems So Strange," by Richard Dawkins (TED Global, 2005)."Surprising Stats About Child Carseats," by Steve Levitt (TED Global, 2005)."Genes and Memes," by John Maynard Smith (London Review of Books, 1982).The Extended Phenotype: The Long Reach of the Gene, by Richard Dawkins (1982).The Selfish Gene, by Richard Dawkins (1976)."Child Endowments and the Quantity and Quality of Children," by Gary Becker and Nigel Tomes (Journal of Political Economy, 1976)."Selective Pecking in the Domestic Chick," by Richard Dawkins (University of Oxford Ph.D. thesis, 1966). EXTRAS:"The World's Most Controversial Ornithologist," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2024)."Is Gynecology the Best Innovation Ever?" by People I (Mostly) Admire (2024).

Richard Prum says there's a lot that traditional evolutionary biology can't explain. He thinks a neglected hypothesis from Charles Darwin — and insights from contemporary queer theory — hold the answer. Plus: You won't believe what female ducks use for contraception.SOURCE:Richard Prum, professor of ornithology, ecology and evolutionary biology at Yale University. RESOURCES:"Stop Your Populist Grandstanding Over Wendy's ‘Surge Pricing'," by Catherine Rampell (The Washington Post, 2024)."Dynamic Pricing Tech May Brighten Retail Bottom Lines and Put Consumers in the Dark," by Kristin Schwab and Sofia Terenzio (Marketplace, 2024).Performance All the Way Down: Genes, Development, and Sexual Difference, by Richard Prum (2023).The Evolution of Beauty: How Darwin's Forgotten Theory of Mate Choice Shapes the Animal World — and Us, by Richard Prum (2017)."Duck Sex and the Patriarchy," by Richard Prum (The New Yorker, 2017)."Dinosaur Feathers Came before Birds and Flight," by Richard Prum and Alan Brush (Scientific American, 2014)."How Chickens Lost Their Penises (And Ducks Kept Theirs)," by Ed Yong (National Geographic, 2013)."Media Attacks Duck Genitalia Research," by Emma Goldberg (Yale Daily News, 2013)."Mate Choice and Sexual Selection: What Have We Learned Since Darwin?" by Adam G. Jones and Nicholas L. Ratterman (PNAS, 2009)."Development and Evolutionary Origin of Feathers," by Richard O. Prum (Journal of Experimental Zoology, 2002).The Blind Watchmaker: Why the Evidence of Evolution Reveals a Universe without Design, by Richard Dawkins (1986)."Display Behavior, Foraging Ecology, and Systematics of the Golden-Winged Manakin (Masius chrysopterus)," by Richard Prum and Ann Johnson (The Wilson Bulletin, 1987).The Selfish Gene, by Richard Dawkins (1976).The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex, by Charles Darwin (1871). EXTRAS:"Is Gynecology the Best Innovation Ever?" by People I (Mostly) Admire (2024)."The Price of Doing Business with John List," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2022).

Neil deGrasse Tyson sits down with evolutionary biologist and author of The Genetic Book of the Dead Richard Dawkins to talk about evolution, whether we were “designed,” how we are living reflections of our ancestors, and much much more.  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/darwins-daring-idea-with-richard-dawkins/Thanks to our Patrons Jason Byttow, Keith Bale, Daniel Levin, Multimedia Kart, Renata, CESAR FRADIQUE, Ginger Towers, handzman, Lisa Kohler, and 21Pandas_ for supporting us this week.

Exploration of the mind from a behavior analytic perspective, contrasting with broader psychological views. Discussion includes theoretical considerations and practical implications for behavior analysts.    To earn CEUs for listening, click here, log in or sign up, pay the CEU fee, + take the attendance verification to generate your certificate! Don't forget to subscribe and follow and leave us a rating and review. Show Notes  References and Resources:  Gray, P. (2011). Psychology (6th ed.). Worth Publishers.  Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and Human Behavior. Macmillan.  Dawkins, R. (2006). The Selfish Gene. Oxford University Press.  Neil deGrasse Tyson's discussions on the specialness of human existence, as referenced in public lectures.   

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comRichard is a scientist, author, and public speaker. From 1995 to 2008 he was the Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford, and he's currently a Fellow of the Royal Society and of the Royal Society of Literature. Among his many bestselling books are the The Selfish Gene, The God Delusion, and his two-part autobiography, An Appetite for Wonder and A Brief Candle in the Dark. He also has substack called The Poetry of Reality — check it out and subscribe!A pioneering New Atheist, Dawkins is a passionate defender of science and denigrator of religion. Who better to talk to about God? For two clips of our convo — on whether faith is necessary for meaning, and which religion is the worst — pop over to our YouTube page.Other topics: Richard growing up in England and colonial Africa; his father serving as an agricultural officer; the paternalistic racism of that period; Orwell's “Such, Such Were the Joys”; genetic variation and natural selection; how evolution is “stunningly simple” but yields “prodigious complexity”; the emergence of consciousness; the crucial role of language for humans; how our intelligence will destroy us; life on other planets; birds-of-paradise and seducing the opposite sex; how faith and the scientific method aren't mutually exclusive; Einstein's faith; Pascal; Oakeshott; religious practice over doctrine; the divinity of nature; Richard's love of cathedrals and church music; Buddhism; virgin births and transubstantiation; Jesus as a moral teacher; his shifting of human consciousness; the Jefferson bible; Hitchens; GK Chesterton; Larkin; Richard as a “cultural Anglican”; gender as “fictive sex”; gamete size; respecting pronouns; science and race; tribalism and “the other”; the complex blend of genetics and culture; the heritability of intelligence; the evolutionary role of religion; the heretical violence of Islam; gays in the Catholic Church; falling rates of religious faith; Judith Butler's new book; and my awful experience on Jon Stewart's now-terminated show.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy (the first 102 are free in their entirety — subscribe to get everything else). Next up: Daniel Finkelstein on his memoir Hitler, Stalin, Mum and Dad, and Neil J. Young on his history of the gay right. After that: Johann Hari on weight-loss drugs, Adam Moss on the artistic process, and George Will on Trump and conservatism. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other pod comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.

It was my pleasure to speak with American cosmologist and professor of physics Janna Levin, about a range of subjects around religion, morality and improving public scientific literacy. How does our society rob children of the right to truth, by indoctrinating them into their beliefs at an early age? We discuss freedom through science, the inspiration of wonder and awe in the cosmos in my books Outgrowing God, The Selfish Gene, Climbing Mount Improbable and Unweaving The Rainbow, morality and altruism, and the love and hate my work receives in equal parts from across the world. _______________________ Join Substack: https://richarddawkins.substack.com/ Subscribe to Poetry of Reality Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmwfdgHA_R9fzr1L0_hxdVw Follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.poetry.of.reality/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RichardDawkins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RichardDawkinsBooks Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ThePoetryofReality

Two formidable minds explore the worlds of philosophy, science and the places where those two disciplines meet for this episode. Daniel Dennett is the American philosopher, writer, and cognitive scientist who is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Tufts University and has written over a dozen books, the latest of which is: I've Been Thinking. Joining him in conversation is Richard Dawkins, the influential British biologist, scientist and writer. Dawkins is renowned for his work on how genes play into our evolution and is the author of bestselling books including The Selfish Gene and The God Delusion. His latest book is Flights of Fancy: Defying Gravity by Design and Evolution. If you'd like to get access to all of our longer form interviews and members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events - Our member-only newsletter The Monthly Read, sent straight to your inbox ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series ... Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more ... Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Richard Dawkins is an evolutionary biologist and author of books including The Selfish Gene and The God Delusion.

Kerr has been doing many of the things the Dub Nation has been calling for and it's still not working Why have we started to lose the Curry minutes? The Klay Thompson discussion (debate) Steve Kerr and the staff are tired and out of ideas... does Kerr need to hire some new blood? Does Kerr need to go? We are cooked for this season and need to be looking ahead The GM can't be bolder than the owner... Is Joe Lacob ready to be bold? ***** Follow us on X formerly known as Twitter --> https://twitter.com/billbaren999    

Books are the original medium for communicating science to the masses. In a holiday special, producer Kunal Patel asks Babbage's family of correspondents about the books that have inspired them in their careers as science journalists.Host: Alok Jha, The Economist's science and technology editor. Contributors: Rachel Dobbs, The Economist's climate correspondent; Kenneth Cukier, our deputy executive editor; The Economist's Emilie Steinmark; Geoff Carr, our senior editor for science and technology; and Abby Bertics, The Economist's science correspondent. Reading list: “The Periodic Table” by Primo Levi; “When We Cease to Understand the World” by Benjamín Labatut; “A Theory of Everyone” by Michael Muthukrishna; “Madame Curie” by Ève Curie; “Sociobiology” by E. O. Wilson; “The Selfish Gene” by Richard Dawkins; “Why Fish Don't Exist” by Lulu Miller; and “How Far the Light Reaches” by Sabrina Imbler.Sign up for a free trial of Economist Podcasts+. If you're already a subscriber to The Economist, you'll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Books are the original medium for communicating science to the masses. In a holiday special, producer Kunal Patel asks Babbage's family of correspondents about the books that have inspired them in their careers as science journalists.Host: Alok Jha, The Economist's science and technology editor. Contributors: Rachel Dobbs, The Economist's climate correspondent; Kenneth Cukier, our deputy executive editor; The Economist's Emilie Steinmark; Geoff Carr, our senior editor for science and technology; and Abby Bertics, The Economist's science correspondent. Reading list: “The Periodic Table” by Primo Levi; “When We Cease to Understand the World” by Benjamín Labatut; “A Theory of Everyone” by Michael Muthukrishna; “Madame Curie” by Ève Curie; “Sociobiology” by E. O. Wilson; “The Selfish Gene” by Richard Dawkins; “Why Fish Don't Exist” by Lulu Miller; and “How Far the Light Reaches” by Sabrina Imbler.Sign up for a free trial of Economist Podcasts+. If you're already a subscriber to The Economist, you'll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"A landmark work in the field of biology and evolution"

When I was fallen away, I thought Richard Dawkins was interesting. I recall the time I saw Dawkins speak at a bookstore (Powell's in Portland, long ago). At the time I thought he was cool. I liked how he was undermining the new “Pharisees” of the modern age and sowing discord among the “Christian hypocrites” as I had yet to realize that we're all sinners. But in watching and listening to Dawkins it dawned on me after only about ten minutes how miserable he seemed, even in his arguments. The smugness filled the room. In contrast I thought of my grandmother with her rosary and the joy in her that she brought to her family. I thought of the billions of people who found hope in faith. His uninspiring message made me leave that talk feeling empty, the opposite of how I felt around my grandmother and other Christians. I entered as a Dawkins fan, only to leave repulsed by his message.Now, with that said I am somewhat grateful for Dawkins because without pure materialists like him, I may never have come back to the faith. It was like a prescribed burn in a field clearing the weeds so that the new life could spring forth. I do believe that is what's happening today in the wider world.Dawkins is the only one who really puts all his chips in the middle and lays his cards on the table. Atheists don't buy the bluff that much of postmodernism is selling. He would reject transgenderism and Baal the storm god in the same breath — as would Catholics. Dawkins even knows that deists are just hedging their bets on a bad hand. The only card player left for atheists to play against is those who believe in the one God, the God Most High. The interesting thing about atheists is that they are closer to coming back to belief in the one God than they ever realize, or would ever care to admit, because they've seen through all the smoke and mirrors of the meaningless and dead gods. They actually are closer to understanding the God who sits outside of time and space — who created time and space — than they realize because they reject all of the nonsense and cling ultimately to mathematics.However, I see this as a long process of preparing the seedbed for faith. Because I don't think many modern atheists have read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, or a study Bible like that of Ignatius Press or Word on Fire. Few people have read St. Augustine's Confessions or the Imitation of Christ outside of Catholic circles. And they certainly have not read Veritatis Splendor or Fides et Ratio or Dignitatus Humanae. But if they ever did, they would find that the God we believe in in the Catholic faith is logical, beautiful, and bigger than anything we can ever imagine in creation. But of course, that revelation of a living God comes only by cooperation with God's grace, which is always ready and waiting on a no-interest loan for those who simply ask, seek, and knock. The beauty of the Church is that you get to keep your reason, all of it, and faith makes it soar higher.Dawkins just says what many have been thinking all along, which is this: God doesn't matter. Thomas Jefferson went halfway, but Dawkins just comes out as openly apostate. He is saying that the Emperor has no clothes. He is also like the Emperor Napoleon, when an officer suggested that “God willing” they would take Brussels in the morning. Napoleon allegedly said, “God? God has nothing to do with it.” That's the same answer Dawkins gives. To Dawkins, there is no God, or gods, living or otherwise, outside of our brains. Hence, he's razed the weeds and prepped the soil for coming back to what Abraham and the Apostles and St. Agnes meant by “God.”Of course, Dawkins' grand bet on the selfish gene goes too far. He's all in with all the answers, but he left out of the equation an important variable. He fails to solve for Y, as in “Y are we here?” That is the problem with this worldview, because in a world without meaning, you have to live in that world. So does everyone else, and everyone else is not necessarily an educated PhD who can spend a lifetime inspecting in all corners of science and history. Everyone else lacks the funds and leisure time to find meaning. Everyone else, for the most part, in the end, has to rely on what someone says is true. I take it on faith that germs cause disease and not fairies, even though I have never actually saw either of them infect a person. Dawkins and company can win arguments about how the world works, but what they cannot win an argument about is why a sunset is beautiful. When there is no satisfactory ultimate why, people spend a lifetime searching for that variable. In the end, what the world without a living God results in is someone else taking control by force and dictating that the value of Y must be what they say it is, simply because they said so.So even though I'm not a Dawkins fan, at least he isn't hedging his bets. He's all in, and I actually think deniers like him are closer to finding God than the builders of Babel or the deists like Ben Franklin ever were. Having the door half-open to God is like letting the heat out of the house in winter. At some point, you have to make up your mind to go outside or stay inside. This makes me realize, truly, that we should pray for Richard Dawkins. He may end up bringing more people back to faith in God than we could have ever realized. He is almost at the top of the circle, since when we run away from God, we often find ourselves running right into the arms of God.Today, we are witnessing the outcome of what happens when the ideas of Dawkins are taken to its logical end. The reason Dawkins is wrong is that he doesn't understand what the builders at Babel and the deists like Ben Franklin understood well. The ancient emperors from history and American Founders knew that people needed religion, and to pull that rug out from society would cause the city itself to collapse. Now we are seeing funny religions pop up, because we pretend we don't need one.The root problem for Dawkins is that he has a middle-school concept of God that he never outgrew. He's also operating as an autonomous speaker of “his truth” without a plan or concept of how to organize a world. He doesn't have employees or mouths to feed or an economy to plan. In the walled-in academic world where the idea of “no souls” exists, Dawkins fails to realize something rather large. His theory of the “Selfish Gene” starts from the bottom, instead of the top, and therefore he cannot describe the whole. His answer of “Because of genes!” is too simple. A toe does not describe the wholeness of a person any more than a gene does, and genes cannot explain the totality of human nature. Dawkins is so smart, but he can't understand what simple farmers and mothers and the poor with no education understand perfectly well. You would think an evolutionary biologist would be very equipped to understand the parable of the grain of wheat, but somehow he misses it completely. I find this to be marvelous irony.We need religion. People need religion. Or they will find one. And it won't be what you expect. In the clean, childless world of our universities, ideas sound good that lack depth. Dawkins' answer is from the atomic layer, and he emerges from a quiet library to tell us that we are nothing but atoms. Meanwhile the bustle of the street doesn't hear a word he's said, because life is happening far beyond the atomic layer. When Dawkins' burst forth from his library, he was telling a very different message from what the apostles told when they emerged from the Upper Room at Pentecost, after having received the breath of life, touched by tongues of fire. No, when Dawkins and his disciples emerged in their lab coats to tell us the good news, their message was that respiration is a selfish act to propagate our genes and that there is no meaning to any of it. The apostles had a message of eternal life, while Dawkins made us ponder suicide.So while I commend Dawkins for his honesty, he is actually more foolish than the leaders of Babel or Jefferson. At least the leaders at Babel and Jefferson were offering something to believe in: “Look, here's a tower. It's a Gate to God. See?” And Jefferson and Franklin offer something, too: “Look, here's a sacred document, a Constitution, where we make a nod to God — and also — over there — see the Statue of Liberty?”Dawkins only offers the abyss. And our brains revolt at the idea. We all know the Big Empty is there, but we don't really want to stand on the edge and look into it. We can't. Not for long. The temptation to believe that Dawkins is right draws us all, as doubt is more natural to us than faith. So even if we dabble in disbelief, most move away from the edge in search of a Higher Power of some kind. The search for God, when thwarted or stifled or silenced, erupts like boils, in strange places and in uncomfortable ways. We are already seeing strange religions being born in America now, almost more strange than that of the pagan gods of Babel or America's traditional worship of the rule of law, wealth, and the slippery thing called “Liberty.”The Tower of Babel or the Constitution may be an elaborate way to justify power, but it is a better attempt at meaning than what Dawkins offers the masses. But again, Dawkins is the only honest one, which is also why his idea is the most dangerous. He's the anti-Jesus (I don't want to call him the anti-Christ, because he lacks the charisma needed for that). Dawkins tells us that we are purely material beings without souls. He goes all the way.Most people hold back and speak the old common language that dances around this fact, finding idols and obsessions to occupy or fence off the Big Empty. Dawkins has spent his life shouting this message and now we are seeing what fruit it bears, where we are in fact atomized, solitary beings (kind of like his selfish gene!). When we are just chemical machines, we do indeed act like the “selfish gene” writ large. Again, not only is this message the polar opposite of Christ, but it's brings the polar opposite result. Where people know Christ, they form communities, families, and fellowship. There is warmth amid the struggle. It's not perfect. But when suffering comes, there is a prayer, and a church, and a people, and the Body of Christ. Dawkins inability to get past a small understanding of God leaves him on the playground all alone. As we watch millions of community organizations and church groups fading away in America, we are clearly becoming more atomized, as people sit at home watching TV alone instead of joining the Lions' Club or a bowling team. What is worrisome about this is that Hannah Arendt, who dissected the rise of 1930's totalitarianism, said that loneliness, a.k.a atomization, is a first step toward totalitarianism, because isolated people without purpose or faith are attracted to a powerful ideology that delivers some kind of meaning. Hence, the transgender craze we are seeing is not surprising at all. Those people are seeking God, but it's a long way home. I sympathize because I did the same thing, but with liquor. That's also a long way home.To me, in the end, Dawkins' worldview makes Kurt Cobain or Morrissey seem light-hearted. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whydidpetersink.substack.com

Chapter 1 What's The Selfish Gene"The Selfish Gene" is a book written by Richard Dawkins, an evolutionary biologist and ethologist. Published in 1976, the book focuses on the gene-centered view of evolution. Dawkins explains how genes, not individuals or species, are the fundamental drivers of evolution and describes how they can influence human behavior. The book also introduces the concept of memes, ideas or cultural practices that can spread and evolve similarly to genes. "The Selfish Gene" is considered a significant contribution to the field of evolutionary biology and has had a significant influence on the public's understanding of genetics and evolutionary theory.Chapter 2 Why is The Selfish Gene Worth ReadThe Selfish Gene is worth reading for several reasons:1. Innovative Concept: Richard Dawkins introduced the concept of the gene-centered view of evolution, which was a groundbreaking idea at the time. He argues that genes are the fundamental units of natural selection, and organisms are essentially vehicles that genes use to replicate themselves.2. Clear and Engaging Writing: Dawkins has a talent for making complex scientific concepts accessible to a wide audience. He explains his ideas in a clear and engaging manner, using vivid examples and analogies to illustrate his points, making the book enjoyable to read even for non-scientists.3. Thought-provoking Perspective: The book challenges traditional notions of altruism and morality by positing that seemingly selfless behavior can actually be driven by selfish genetic interests. It forces readers to reconsider their understanding of human and animal behavior from a gene-centric perspective.4. Influence on Evolutionary Biology: The Selfish Gene had a profound impact on the field of evolutionary biology, and its ideas continue to shape scientific discussions today. Dawkins' book spurred further research and debate on topics such as kin selection, evolutionary psychology, and the evolution of cooperation.5. Relevance to Society: The concepts discussed in The Selfish Gene have broader implications beyond biology. The book touches on topics like cultural evolution, the origins of human behavior, and the role of genetics in shaping society. It encourages readers to think critically about these subjects and their potential impact on various aspects of human life.Overall, The Selfish Gene is a thought-provoking and influential book that offers a unique perspective on evolution and genetics. Its accessible writing style and profound insights make it a worthwhile read for anyone interested in understanding the fundamental forces shaping life on Earth.Chapter 3 The Selfish Gene Summary"The Selfish Gene" by Richard Dawkins is a landmark book in the field of evolutionary biology. Published in 1976, it presents a synthesis of ideas from various disciplines, including genetics, ethology, and game theory, to explain the fundamental mechanisms driving evolution.Dawkins introduces the concept of the gene-centered view of evolution, arguing that genes are the fundamental units of selection and the driving force behind the evolution of organisms. According to this view, genes are selfish in that they are constantly striving to survive and reproduce, shaping the traits and behaviors of organisms in order to enhance their own chances of passing on to future generations.The book also explores the concept of the "extended phenotype," which refers to the idea that genes not only influence the physical traits of an organism but also have an impact on its environment, such as through the construction of nests or the modification of behavior in other species.Dawkins delves into various aspects of...

Ep205: Platinum, Covid, and how ideas spread, with Andrew Barrett Full Show Notes: https://safetyontap.com/ep205   I noticed when they started saying 'Welcome back Mr Barrett' when I boarded the plane.  But I really took notice, when they stopped saying it.  This is a podcast about ideas, and stories, and our opportunity to pay more attention to how they affect our work as health and safety professionals.    Hey, it's Andrew, and this is Safety on Tap.    Since you're listening in, you must be a leader wanting to grow yourself and drastically improve health and safety along the way.  Welcome to you, you're in the right place.  If this is your first time listening in, thanks for joining us and well done for trying something different to improve! And of course welcome back to all of you wonderful regular listeners.     Before Covid I travelled a fair bit, and despite proving time and time again how effective virtual coaching and facilitation can be during Covid, once travel restrictions were eased I found myself being asked to come here and go there more than I would like.  Covid saw two automatic extensions of my frequent flyer status, since if you can't fly you can't maintain it.  Once travel was permitted again, I found myself dropped from the top tier frequent flyer colour down to the next one.  I've always said  that frequent flyer status is not exciting nor something to be coveted, all it indicates is that I spend too much time away from my family.    Stick with me, for regular listeners you'll know that my story and metaphor ties into what we do as health and safety professionals, rather than an egotistical rant.  There is something small, something human about stepping onto a plane, and someone looking at the colour at the bottom of the pass, looking you in the eye, and saying welcome back.  They don't know me, they see data which tells them on this airline, we value loyalty and we welcome people by name.    Until they didn't.  It seems that stepping onto a plane, Gold status bumps me down the human respect pecking order, so there is no personal 'welcome back My Barrett' anymore.  They changed their idea about what loyalty, status and customer service sounds like.  One tiny change made me notice, and changed the way I feel.    Infectious Ideas, Genes and Memes   An idea which I was introduced to me early in my career, and which was reinforced a lot, an idea which I came to believe and would re-tell to others was that safety management systems were the solution to health and safety performance.  That idea became so intertwined in my professional identity and practice that it shaped me, and blinded me, and twisted me.    Another idea which was part of my early professional shaping is the story that 'part of our job is to protect the Board of Directors'.  That one did a real doozy on me, creating confusion and anger and inconsistency and bad behaviour in the name of a story which I believed at the start because other people handed that idea down to me so became my story.  Except when I decided that it wouldn't be my story, that I needed a new story to replace it.  Needless to say that one needs an entire lying-on-the-couch podcast session, but ultimately boils down to very important but grammatically minor tweaks I made to the core idea in the story: instead of 'part of our job is to protect the Board of Directors', my new story was 'most of my job is supporting safe and healthy work, which becomes protection for the Board of Directors'.  How did those ideas come to be? In part, they were spread, like a virus, from others to me, and they became infective.    You may have heard the word genes, spelled g-e-n-e-s, in reference to the unique DNA coding which animals and plants inherit from their parents in the process of reproduction.  Genes contain the information which lead to your height, your eye colour, and many parts of your physical and psychological make-up, including tendency for disease, creativity and intellect.    In the biological world, something like Covid did not exactly exist until the day that it did.  What happened that day was a combination of mutation of genes within cells, an increasingly hospitable environment for those cells, and then rapid copying or replication of those virus cells and their spread into hospitable environments, namely human beings.  The cells which had evolved reproduced, the ones that didn't evolve didn't survive, and that is the basic equation for the explosive spread of that virus, including it's variants which were just human labels for distinct mutations of the original genetic makeup of the virus.    The copying, mutation, and selection which ideas in our culture undergo is an analogy to biological genetic evolution through generations over time.  In 1976 Richard Dawkins wrote a book titled the Selfish Gene, in which he expanded on the idea of 'memes' as described by numerous other authors, including Huxley as far back as the 1800's.  A meme was originally meant to signify a cultural idea, a bit like a piece of DNA, which spreads, duplicates and mutates according to cultural pressures, like competition, and favourable or inhospitable environment.    Survival, Spread, and Virality   An example of this most of us can identify with is how ideas of hatred or violence spread.  These ideas are not new in human history, but definitely evolve over time, which means that there continues to be environments of greater or lesser benefit to the ideas.  We might think that a cultural environment like religion and religious believers is inhospitable to violence or hatred, yet we see institutional religion and believers as promotors and perpetrators of so much hatred and violence in the past.  We might say that developed countries have cultures which are increasingly inhospitable to hatred and violence, yet every single one of them has obsessive sporting sub-cultures based on the idea that my team is the best, which means I hate your team, and the way we prove it is to go to battle with balls, batts and white lines on mowed grass fields.    Can you see how complicated it gets when we start seeing ideas and how they spread?   It's no mistake that memes, as cultural ideas akin to biological genes, are often described as 'viral' - spreading and evolving rapidly.  The way to spot traits is to look for things common across multiple generations.  My wife and I have blue eyes so my kids will all have blue eyes.  But sporting ability? That's harder to see, but it's there if you look.  So let's think about the virality of ideas in health and safety.    What are the things which you were introduced to as a young or new health and safety professional which you accepted as they were.  Once of mine was about safety management systems.  What about yours? That compliance is the goal? That everything needs a record? That people do make bad decisions? That complacency is a real, valid, and satisfactory explanation for an incident? That danger pay is an acceptable trade off for high risk working conditions? That Unions truly do want to protect worker safety? Or that Unions weaponise safety? That Regulators should be welcomed to the workplace? Or that Regulators should be quickly shown a fabrication of real work and shown the door?   What about our role? That we are here to protect? Or care? That if we don't do safety no one else will? That even if we know the training is crappy, we convince people it's not that bad because we think it's the right thing to do? That you are a better safety person because of your real world experience? Or you are better because you studied? Or you are better because you had a personal safety or health scare? Or you are a better professional because you had a father or brother or daughter or friend die at work?   Paying Attention to How Ideas Spread   All these things are memes, not cute cat face memes or Chuck Another Shrimp on the Barbie memes, they are the idea threads which replicate, evolve and spread in our culture, the stuff we say and do and read and pay attention to and develop and expect at work and what work expects of us.    The greatest irony of all about Dawkins concept of the meme, was that it was, in his words, 'hijacked by the internet'.  Instead of an interesting theory for us to look at culture, it became the label for cheesy, cheap and shallow attention sucking snippets all within the square frame in your social media feed.  This hijacking led to three very interesting things happening which we can learn from.    First, memes started behaving less like genes when people became intent and deliberate about how they changed them.  Instead of evolutionary selection (which explains why giraffes have long necks) or mutation (such as the cause of Down Syndrome or Cystic Fibrosis), people actively muck around and change ideas.  Think about how many memes you've seen based on The Matrix Movie, Game of Thrones, Donald Trump or anything with a cat in it.   In safety we see how people are deliberately mutating original ideas.  The concept of management commitment enshrined in safety management systems was twisted into a signed policy.  The concept of risk management overemphasised the risk assessment step, at the expense of risk identification and risk control.  Hollnagels original idea of Safety I inside Safety II got turned into Safety I versus Safety II.  Most people don't even know where the ideas have come from let alone at what point in time someone changed or twisted the original idea.    The second interesting observation coming from the internet's hijacking of memes, is that memes result in behaviours in which people are actively trying to make something viral.  In biology this is kind of nonsense, even viruses aren't deliberately viral in the sense that it's not like someone or some people designed it to spread, it spread because the environment suited it and there was no downward pressure on its spread.  And the internet is a far less hostile place for ideas to evolve and spread than in the natural environment.  It took 1000 years for humans to figure out that the biggest juiciest seeds are worth saving and breeding to plant as next years crop, instead of wandering around the forest hoping to find enough to eat.  1000 years for the idea of agriculture to evolve.  It has taken around 100 years for the idea that organisations should employ people specifically focussed on safety.  It has taken only a few decades for the idea of safety management systems to become mainstream, and less than that for business leaders to think that Lost Time Injury is a good indicator of safety performance.  The concept of work as imagined and work as done is over 70 years old, but the idea only spread within the last 20, and only two people on the entire planet are responsible for most of that virality.  This second insight means that the ideas that spread are the ones that win.  Not the best ideas, not even the original ideas. Ideas that spread, win.   Are we infected, infectious, or both?   The concept of ideas as cultural memes gives us an opportunity to do a little reflection on something which is all around us, but not something most of us pay much attention to.    What kinds of ideas do you believe, spread, or shape without realising it?   Do you take ideas as-is, or do you try to change them as you spread them?   What kinds of ideas do you take as fact, and what ideas have you rejected or changed?   We get frustrated when people in our organisations 'don't get it'.  That might be because other ideas are far more viral than the ones you are trying to make extinct.    This epsiode as been in half-draft for over two years ago (in fact, there are heaps just like that in half-draft).  Thanks to Mick Bates for unknowingly giving me the nudge to finish this podcast when he shared some helpful reflections on how extremist ideas and beliefs come to be.    Thanks so much for listening.  Until next time, what's the one thing you'll do to take positive, effective or rewarding action, to grow yourself, and drastically improve health and safety along the way?   Seeya!

Peter Boghossian has been inspired by the work of preeminent evolutionary biologist, author, and atheist Richard Dawkins for years. In this conversation, they discuss various impingements of delusional thinking on rationality.  Richard is unsettled by the substitution hypothesis—the proposal that as one religion fades, another will take its place. Yet, he recognizes the transfer of religious structures into Woke dogma, including the replacements of white privilege for Biblical original sin and trans ideology for Catholic transubstantiation. Richard says he's wasted his life if humans are destined to embrace a default level of delusional thinking from one source or another.   Peter and Richard consider whether some delusions are more benign than others and if the lesser of the evils should be accepted. Richard proposes that scientific thinking and evidence-based belief could replace irrationality, saying the wonders of science provide a “nearly spiritual experience.”  Also discussed: Fermi's paradox, natural selection, extraterrestrial genetics, skeletal gender, Lamarck vs Darwin, the ideological capture of science journals, tribal belief, and two mysteries unanswered by science.  Richard Dawkins is a bestselling author and award-winning evolutionary biologist. He is an advocate for scientific literacy and an outspoken critic of creationism. His most notable books are The God Delusion and The Selfish Gene, both selling millions of copies internationally. Richard's latest book is Flights of Fancy: Defying Gravity by Design and Evolution. Richard hosts The Poetry of Reality podcast and is on the board of the Center for Inquiry.   Website: https://richarddawkins.com/linksWatch this episode on YouTube.

How To Academy is back at Wilderness Festival this August, where we will be hosting the journalist and author of Empireland Sathnam Sanghera on his new history of the British Empire aimed at younger readers: Stolen History. In anticipation we wanted to share our event from last year's Wilderness, this time with the scientist and author of groundbreaking books including The Selfish Gene and The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Richard Dawkins is a British evolutionary biologist and author. His 1976 book The Selfish Gene popularised the gene-centred view of evolution, as well as coining the term meme. Dawkins is a vocal atheist and is often referred to as one of the four horsemen of the New Atheism movement which began to grain traction in the mid-2000s, catalysed in large part by Dawkin's 2006 book, The God Delusion. SPONSORED BY: GiveSendGo - Go to https://www.GiveSendGo.com/ to check out a better alternative to crowdfunding. Support the people who support freedom! SPONSORED BY: EasyDNS - domain name registrar provider and web host. Use special code: TRIGGERED for 50% off when you visit https://easydns.com/triggered/ Join our exclusive TRIGGERnometry community on Locals! https://triggernometry.locals.com/ OR Support TRIGGERnometry Here: Bitcoin: bc1qm6vvhduc6s3rvy8u76sllmrfpynfv94qw8p8d5 Music by: Music by: Xentric | info@xentricapc.com | https://www.xentricapc.com/ YouTube:  @xentricapc   Buy Merch Here: https://www.triggerpod.co.uk/shop/ Advertise on TRIGGERnometry: marketing@triggerpod.co.uk Join the Mailing List: https://www.triggerpod.co.uk/sign-up/ Find TRIGGERnometry on Social Media:  https://twitter.com/triggerpod https://www.facebook.com/triggerpod/ https://www.instagram.com/triggerpod/ About TRIGGERnometry:  Stand-up comedians Konstantin Kisin (@konstantinkisin) and Francis Foster (@francisjfoster) make sense of politics, economics, free speech, AI, drug policy and WW3 with the help of presidential advisors, renowned economists, award-winning journalists, controversial writers, leading scientists and notorious comedians. 00:00 Intro 01:04 Sponsor Message: GiveSendGo 03:02 Richard Dawkins' Background 04:54 The Selfish Gene 05:50 Crucial Recent Discoveries for Human Development 07:15 How Much Does Biology Dominate Our Lives? 08:25 What Innovation & Discoveries are Happening at the Moment? 11:34 Downsides to Medical Advancements 13:15 Is Genetically Modifying Babies Playing God? 15:44 What is Life & Can it be Discarded? 20:49 The People Who Move Our Species Forward 23:59 The Current State of Science 25:44 The Tyranny of the Discontinuous Mind 27:55 Eroding the Concept of Truth 31:52 Is the Claim that you can Change your Sex Supernatural? 33:48 Do Humans Need Religion? 34:50 Did Richard's Criticism of God go Too Far?  37:08 Could the Universe Have Been Planned? 46:09 Sponsor Message: easyDNS 47:12 The Comfort of Religion 50:42 How Richard Would Face Death 53:06 Richard's Aim to Defeat Religion 54:47 Euthanasia 56:38 The Development of AI 1:01:40 Are We Alone in the Universe? 1:06:08 What is The One Thing We're Not Talking About?

Biohumanity and the selfish gene

One of the most influential atheists in the world and the best-selling author of ‘The Selfish Gene' and ‘The God Delusion', Richard Dawkins joins Russell to debate the role of religion, science and power. They talk consciousness, reality, existence of extraterrestrial life and love. Find out more about Richard Dawkins: https://richarddawkins.com/  For a bit more from us join our Stay Free Community here: https://russellbrand.locals.com/ Come to my festival COMMUNITY - https://www.russellbrand.com/community-2023/ NEW MERCH! https://stuff.russellbrand.com/

On today's ID the Future, geologist Casey Luskin continues to unpack his recently published essay against the view that humans evolved from ape-like ancestors via blind Darwinian processes. In this episode he shares his experience of walking into the fossil hall at South Africa's famous Maropeng Museum and immediately being confronted by a piece of shameless materialist propaganda, a Richard Dawkins quotation prominently displayed as part of a floor-to-ceiling display. The quotation insisted that humans are essentially just DNA survival machines. Luskin says, not so fast, and points out the various ways such a view fails to explain important aspects of human behavior, including altruistic behavior toward non-kin. Luskin and host Eric Anderson also call evolutionary theory to task for being Read More › Source

Biologist Richard Dawkins is the poster child for the materialist doctrine and the new atheism.  His paradigm boils down to a mechanical replicator, that somehow appeared by chance, which no one can explain how (a miracle?), that goes by the name "gene."  He sees us all as mere robots, zombies, propagating the gene's replication.  The materialist doctrine stands on three assumptions - that all is matter, that the laws of nature are fixed, with us from the beginning, and that there is no inherent purpose in matter.  While this may be true for matter, what about Mind? Materialists use their doctrine as a sword against religion and philosophy.  Yet their paradigm is misguided.  There is a huge difference between being true and not being proven false.  Hegel showed how matter and mind are combined, both a part of Geist, Spirit, and are one fundamentally.  This episode explores the many problems with the pure materialist doctrine. Literary Guise Podcast: A Book Club for Modern MenA cocktail-infused book podcast, examining positive and toxic portrayals of masculinity.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show

Sean Illing talks with technologist, media theorist, and author Douglas Rushkoff, whose new book Survival of the Richest explains how the ultra-wealthy are obsessed with preparing for the end of the world — and the troubling mindset that leads many rich and powerful people down this road. They discuss the blend of tech utopianism and fatalism behind this doomsday prepping, how Silicon Valley and "tech bro" culture have incentivized a kind of misanthropy, and why the world's billionaire class can't see that the catastrophes they fear are of their own making. Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray Area Guest: Douglas Rushkoff (@rushkoff), author; professor, media studies, CUNY Queens College References:  Survival of the Richest: Escape Fantasies of the Tech Billionaires by Douglas Rushkoff (W.W. Norton; 2022) "Epson boobytrapped its printers" by Cory Doctorow (Medium; Aug. 7) "Cosmism: Russia's religion for the rocket age" by Benjamin Ramm (BBC; Apr. 20, 2021) The Selfish Gene (1976) and The God Delusion (2006) by Richard Dawkins Francis Bacon, Redargutio Philosophiarum (1608), tr. by Benjamin Farrington in The Philosophy of Francis Bacon (1964): "Nature must be taken by the forelock . . . lay hold of her and capture her" (p. 130). "Power changes how the brain responds to others" by Jeremy Hogeveen, et al., Journal of Experiential Psychology (Apr. 2014) What We Owe the Future by William MacAskill (Basic Books; 2022) Team Human by Douglas Rushkoff (W.W. Norton; 2021)   Enjoyed this episode? Rate The Gray Area ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Subscribe for free. Be the first to hear the next episode of The Gray Area. Subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Support Vox Conversations by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts This episode was made by:  Producer: Erikk Geannikis Editor: Amy Drozdowska Engineer: Patrick Boyd Editorial Director, Vox Talk: A.M. Hall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this ID the Future, hear the concluding episode of I, Charles Darwin, in which author Nickell John Romjue's time-traveling Darwin returns to his family home and offers some final reflections on his eye-opening visit to the twenty-first century. Part 1 of the audio series is here. Part 2 is here. Part 3 is here. Part 4 is here. To learn more and to purchase the book, visit www.icharlesdarwin.com. Source

Watch the Full Episode for FREE:  https://londonreal.tv/richard-dawkins-the-selfish-gene-the-god-delusion-understanding-nature-humanity-consciousness/  

Today we welcome Dr. Frans de Waal, a Dutch American biologist and primatologist known for his work on the behavior and social intelligence of primates. He is a professor in Emory University's psychology department and the Director of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center. Chimpanzee Politics, The Age of Empathy, The Bonobo and the Atheist, and Mama's Last Hug are among his most popular books that have been translated in over 20 languages. His latest book is called Different: Gender Through the Eyes of a Primatologist.In this episode, I talk to Frans de Waal about sex and gender. As a primatologist, he shares his research findings on the biological differences between male and female primates. Despite obvious distinctions between masculine and feminine behavior, great apes have no trouble accepting non-binary individuals—a behavior we humans need to practice more of. Dr. Frans clears up what alpha male really means and debunks the “natural order” of male supremacy. We also touch on the topics of socialization, power, altruism, reproduction, and equality. Website: www.emory.edu/LIVING_LINKSFacebook: /franspublic Topics03:14 What is a primatologist? 04:18 Biology in the gender debate08:47 Donna: the non-binary chimpanzee13:12 Dominance, power, and prestige17:16 Alpha males and alpha females 20:53 Sex differences in play and aggression24:48 Gender identity and self socialization31:33 The Selfish Gene 35:14 The evolution of the clitoris40:29 The stigma of female sexuality45:38 Extra-pair copulation and paternity testing50:38 Competition, rivalry, and conflict resolution54:57 Maternal instinct and xenophobia among primates59:07 Embodied cognition 

Evolution has equipped species with a variety of ways to travel through the air — flapping, gliding, floating, not to mention jumping really high. But it hasn't invented jet engines. What are the different ways that heavier-than-air objects might be made to fly, and why does natural selection produce some of them but not others? Richard Dawkins has a new book on the subject, Flights of Fancy: Defying Gravity by Design and Evolution. We take the opportunity to talk about other central issues in evolution: levels of selection, the extended phenotype, the role of adaptation, and how genes relate to organisms.Support Mindscape on Patreon.Richard Dawkins received his Ph.D. in zoology from the University of Oxford. He is an emeritus fellow of New College, Oxford, where he was previously the Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science. He is an internationally best-selling author, whose books include The Selfish Gene, The Blind Watchmaker, and The God Delusion. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society and the Royal Society of Literature.Web siteRichard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and ScienceWikipediaTwitterAmazon author pageSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My guest today is Richard Dawkins. I assume most of you know who he is, but in case you've been living under a rock; Richard Dawkins is an evolutionary biologist and emeritus fellow at Oxford University. If I listed all the awards he's received in his lifetime, this description will not end. His books include The Selfish Gene, The Extended Phenotype, The Blind Watchmaker, The God Delusion, Unweaving the Rainbow, and many others. His latest book is called "Flights of Fancy: Defying Gravity by Design and Evolution" in which he explores and explains the phenomenon of flight both in the animal world and in manmade technology. We didn't get to discuss this book in this episode, but I really recommend you all check it out.  In this episode, we discuss technological progress, whether race is a social construct or biological reality, the mystery of consciousness, the concept of a meme (which Richard invented), religion and its relationship to a happy life, whether wokeness plays the role of a religion in people's lives, and finally, Richard gives his advice to up and coming scientists. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest today is Richard Dawkins. I assume most of you know who he is, but in case you've been living under a rock; Richard Dawkins is an evolutionary biologist and emeritus fellow at Oxford University. If I listed all the awards he's received in his lifetime, this description will not end. His books include The Selfish Gene, The Extended Phenotype, The Blind Watchmaker, The God Delusion, Unweaving the Rainbow, and many others. His latest book is called "Flights of Fancy: Defying Gravity by Design and Evolution" in which he explores and explains the phenomenon of flight both in the animal world and in manmade technology. We didn't get to discuss this book in this episode, but I really recommend you all check it out. In this episode, we discuss technological progress, whether race is a social construct or biological reality, the mystery of consciousness, the concept of a meme (which Richard invented), religion and its relationship to a happy life, whether wokeness plays the role of a religion in people's lives, and finally, Richard gives his advice to up and coming scientists. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did.